New Kent High School’s baseball team captures first Group 3A State Championship
New Kent High School’s baseball team celebrates with a picture as they capture the Group 3A State Championship Saturday morning.Robb Johnson photos
New Kent High School’s baseball team has been labeled as underdogs for most of the season, and it was ironic that they were the designated road team as they faced a Caroline Cavaliers baseball that resided 30 minutes away from the Group 3A State Championship home site of Riverbend High School. But for the Trojans, a go-ahead triple in the top of the eighth by Grayson Hobson proved to be a hit of history.
New Kent’s Trojans emerged as 5-3 winners in extra innings to win the Group 3A State Championship game over Caroline, capturing their first baseball state title in school history.
New Kent took advantage of being the visiting team in the top of the first inning. Thomas Wilson’s RBI single drove in Carson Seely to provide the Trojans an early 1-0 lead. That advantage doubled in the top of the third inning, as Brayden Heath’s RBI single allowed Ashton Whitlow to truck around the bases and slide safely into home plate.
New Kent’s defense rallied behind the pitching of Lane Boyette for the opening half of the game, keeping Caroline in check by making key plays. But a miscue in the fourth inning opened the door for the Cavaliers.
John Tatham advanced to third base on an error by Trojan outfield Michael Gentry. A few batters later, Jeron Morris’ singled into the outfield, driving home Tatham and cutting New Kent’s lead in half (2-1).
New Kent’s next score came in the top of the sixth inning, with Gentry making amends for his earlier error. His sacrifice fly drove in Tyler Warren, who had tripled earlier in the frame, to return the Trojans’ lead to 3-1.
But the Cavaliers made the game a contest in the bottom of the sixth inning. Christian Tingen’s RBI double once again reduced New Kent’s lead to one run. That advantage was quickly wiped out a few at-bats later, as Jackson Thomas’ sacrifice fly drove home Tingen to tie the game at 3-3.
New Kent failed to score in the top of the seventh, but Boyette’s pitching along with the Trojan defense proved to be game savers. A force out by New Kent was subsequently followed with back-to-back strikeouts hurled by Boyette, forcing the game into extra innings.
In the top of the eighth inning, New Kent’s Heath walked with pinch-runner Hunter Jesse swiping in for him. A walk by Cavaliers pitcher Adam Pitts allowed Tyler Warren to reach first base and advanced Jesse to second.
Hobson was the next Trojan to step up to the plate. The New Kent sophomore connected on a hanging pitch, driving it to the outfield wall in a gap. Jesse and Warren rounded all the bases to touch home plate, while Hobson celebrated at third base as his RBIs provided the Trojans a 5-3 lead.
Heading into the bottom of the eighth, New Kent punched out the first two batters on routine plays. Boyette’s final pitch resulted in Tingen striking out for the Cavaliers, sealing the Trojans’ monumental season at the highest peak with a victory.
New Kent Trojans Head Coach Trevor Ronan didn’t have much to say, as his smile spoke volumes in his postgame interview.
“The top of the eighth was a perfect situation for us,” he said. “Grayson (Hobson) has been in and out of the lineup all year and he had the opportunity to make something happen.
“He made the best of it and overall, our team overcame the odds to become state champions,” Ronan concluded.
New Kent finishes the season with a record of 21-5-1.
New Kent shortstop Tyler Warren fields a high bounce as he is able to complete a force out early in the contest.
New Kent’s bench erupts with excitement as Warren is one of two batters to cross home plate in the top of the eighth following Grayson Hobson’s RBI triple.